I7 Gaming / VM Rig

[auxo09]

Hey all, just want to say thanks to all the hard working participants @ Toms Hardware, first time poster here

I have recently started building my new PC, started ordering the parts around 2 weeks ago; however, I still need to get a few core components before I can start. Upgrading from a Core 2, what can I say I want to see what the i7 3770k IB has to offer. So without further ado, I'll go into the template.

Approximate Purchase Date: Wednesday [12-12-12] (or sooner)

Budget Range: ($500-600)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Gaming, Virtual Machines (for work), video editing in Vegas, FRAPS, streaming)

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts I have so far:
Graphics Card: EVGA 02G-P4-3660-KR GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Case: COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
MoBo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
PSU: SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory


Parts I still need:
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Cooler: I realize the Noctua NH-D14 is a great air cooler as well as the Evo 212, but I have also seen and heard great things from the Corsair H series closed loop coolers. I would really appreciate insight on what you all think would be most beneficial for me to cool Ivy down to tolerable temps while achieving atleast 4.4kGhz OC. I'd like the internals to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible which is a natural reaction to lean away from the gaudy air coolers, but it boils down to what is going to safely keep me at the temps I need to be. I'd rather not invest into a custom built liquid cooling system, maybe later down the road :lol:
Here's links to my interests on coolers:
Noctua NH-D14
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
CORSAIR Hydro Series H60 (CWCH60) High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
I have a side panel on the case where there 2 120mm fan insert slots, however that covers up the window a good bit and I'd like to see in, so I was thinking of attaching it to the 120mm rear case fan. Case comes with 120mm rear fan, 140mm top fan, and 140mm front fan.
SSD: I've searched high and low for "the best" deal on SSD's here lately. I really like the reviews on the Samsung 840 Pro, however at a rather high price point I'm not sure the Price/Gb is worth it. Can we look forward to the 256GB's coming down in price or am I destined for a 128GB SSD? I'm starting out with this SSD as a boot/primary drive I will buy a HDD for storage / random games when I get paid in a couple weeks, just want to get this rig started. Suggestions on this please?
Optical Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (newegg.com, ncix.com, amazon.com)

Location: Greensboro, NC

Parts Preferences: by brand or type Intel/Samsung/Corsair

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (when I can afford another 660TI)

Your Monitor Resolution: (1920x1080, 1920x1200)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: ( I've been using an outdated rig for too long )

Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated, on the existing items that need to be purchased and ways you could fit the maximum bang for the buck in my budget range.

 

[auxo09]

Bump?

 

[willyroc]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler ($69.70 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.95 @ B&H)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $577.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-09 10:58 EST-0500)

No rebates; shipping is included.

PS: Your mobo is kinda low quality but is feature-rich. You went overkill on the PSU. But after coming this far, you can only go big or go home.

 

[auxo09]

thanks for the reply Willy, so you would suggest the Thermalright Silver Arrow over say a Corsair H60 push/pull? I haven't done much research on that particular CPU cooler, it looks hefty though

Thats right GO BIG OR GO HOME! I picked up the seasonic PSU when they were $99...couldn't pass it up. What mobo would you have suggested over the Asrock Extreme 4?

 

[willyroc]

Actually your motherboard isn't bad; it can handle any overclock Ivy Bridge has to offer. For the cooler, the Silver Arrow is about on par with the NH-D14, albeit cheaper. They are about the same size. And that's a terrific deal on the PSU btw. I would have suggested the P8Z77V-LK, but it's not worth switching to it now. I wish you the best of luck on your build.

 

[auxo09]

Ordered the i7 3770k from Amazon for $280 tonight, shopping for remaining CPU cooler, SSD (still looking for a decent/high write speeds on 256GB, still looking for a decent price on the Samsung 830 / 840 Pro), and optical drive. Are blu-ray players worth the money? I have a ps3 that can play blu-rays.

 

[willyroc]

Blu-ray players are worth the money.

 

[auxo09]

Wow I really like that Asus board!!! Buyer's remorse, UGH. Ok, so maybe an all in one blue ray/dvd/cd burner & player would be the smartest way to go? Look at this, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325 $25? Wonder how long it'd take that thing to poop out on ya

 

[willyroc]

Wow, that's a real lottery right there. If you don't mind replacing a new drive every 8 or so months, go for it lol. I think there should be some sort of warranty on that thing.

 

[auxo09]

Thanks for your help Willyroc.

 

[auxo09]

Best answer selected by auxo09.

 

[auxo09]

I really like the thermalright SA, I found this guy: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17258/cpu-tri-90/Thermalright_Silver_Arrow_SB-E_Extreme_Dual_Fan_Universal_CPU_Cooler_Sockets_775_1156_1366_2011_AM2_AM2_AM3_AM3_FM1.html

One question, will the fans on the heatsink clear the Ripjaw X? I've googled and found mixed reviews.

 

[auxo09]

Hello again, can anyone confirm that the Silver Arrow SB-E Extreme fits in the CM Scout case with Ripjaw X DDR3.

Here's the specs for the SA:
Cooler Dimension: Length 155mm x Width 105mm x Height 165mm
155mm x Width 130mm x 165mm (with both TY-143 fan installed)
Cooler weight: 1114 g (including Fans)
Heat-pipe: 6mm Sintered Heat-pipe*8 units
Cooler Base Material: C1100 Pure Copper with Nickel Plating.
Fan Dimension:
TY-143 Length: 151mm x Width 26.5mm x Height 141mm
TY-143 Fan Speed: 600~2500 RPM (PWM)
TY-143 Fan noise level: 21~45dBA
Fan Airflow: 31-130CFM

 

[auxo09]

I read a review saying: "With both fans installed the Silver Arrow Extreme now measures 170mm in length, 130mm in width and 170mm in height while weighing a total of 1141g."

My case specs say not exceed 165mm height in CPU cooling solutions, dang I really want that Silver Arrow Extreme, also trying to find clarification if the fans on the cooler will clear Ripjaw X DDR3...